After Schiano professed his gratitude, respect, admiration and, yes, love, for his former player at Rutgers in a conference call this morning, the 49ers right tackle was less effusive when asked about his ex-coach. …

On the ensuing kickoff, Ventrone, all 5-foot-9 ¾ inches and 200 pounds, capped his latest hell-bent sprint down the field by drilling Golden Tate at the 15-yard line, where the Seahawks took over with 21 seconds left. …

Harbaugh was moved to make the change after he threw himself into the middle of a sideline tussle in the fourth quarter of the 49ers’ 31-17 win at Tennessee on Oct. 20. Despite his eagerness to intercede, Harbaugh was quickly pushed out of the pile. …

The great benefit of earning the No. 5 seed? If the No. 5 seed wins its wild-card game it would visit the No. 2 seed (possibly New Orleans) in the divisional playoffs, pushing back a potential trip to Seattle until the NFC Championship Game. Meanwhile, the No. 6 seed, if it wins its wild-card game, would take the express to Seattle, where the Seahawks are 14-0 since 2012 and have outscored the 49ers by 55 points in their last two meetings. …